1 . I’m Bob Sassone. I’m typing the first draft of this letter on a 1954 Smith Corona Silent, a green and gray beauty. Now, for most of us, buying a typewriter in this age of the Internet, texting and tablet computers is odd enough. But there are plenty of writers who still use typewriters. Using a typewriter is a form of time travel. For people who know me well, the fact that I use a typewriter isn’t a surprise. I’m someone who still has a landline and wears a wristwatch. So owning a typewriter fits into that life quite nicely.

Why do I love it so much? It is made for doing one thing: Writing. There are no distractions, no email to check, no alerts that grab your attention. Some people look at it and said, “But you can’t access the Internet on it!” Not being able to access the Internet on my writing machine is a feature, not a bug.

Of course, I don’t use a typewriter all the time. It’s impossible in the 21st century. As someone who does a lot of work online and has to email his work to editors and other people, doing all of my writing on a typewriter just isn’t something that would work today. And after using a computer keyboard for over 30 years, typing on a typewriter is hard. But it’s wonderful to write letters, create first drafts, make notes and lists, and a typed message on a card or thank-you note looks fantastic. I didn’t buy it for show. I’m actually using it!

So I write on both a typewriter and a laptop. I live in 1954 and in the modern digital age. Old and new, analog and digital, beauty and convenience. I straddle both worlds and try to use the technology that suits me best and works the best depending on what I’m doing. And that’s really what we all should be doing with technology, isn’t it?

1. What do most people think of buying a typewriter?

A．Common.

B．Useless.

C．Strange.

D．Meaningful.

2. Why does the author enjoy using a typewriter?

A．It has some advantages.

B．The author is a collector.

C．It makes the author inspired.

D．The author dislikes modern things.

3. What can we infer about the author from paragraph 3?

A．He has used a typewriter for 30 years.

B．He finds a typewriter useful and practical.

C．There isn’t plenty of work for him to do online.

D．It’s possible for him to always use a typewriter nowadays.

4. What does the text want to convey to us?

A．Interest is the best teacher.

B．Each coin has its two sides.

C．It pays to be suitable and useful.

D．Actions speak louder than words.

2 . Stacy Dean, an official at the US Department of Agriculture, was inspired by a visit to Watkins Elementary, in Washington, D. C. Students grow vegetables in their school garden. They also roll up their sleeves in the school’s kitchen to participate in a FRESHFARM FoodPrints class, which integrates cooking and nutrition education.

“Who’s next?” asks instructional coach Regina Green, as kids throw vegetables into the pan and the smell of fresh ginger and onions fills the air. “We grew these in our garden,” Jessie Gibson, one of the students, says proudly. Then he measures and pours dry ingredients into a bowl.

“Our family has tried new things because of the program,” says Catie Kelley, whose two children have participated in the FRESHFARM program. “They come home with the recipes,” Kelley says. “It’s fun because it’s things that we don’t usually make at home,” so it has encouraged them to try novel combinations. She says the kids take more of an interest at the grocery store to identify foods they’ve tried in the program.

Dean wants to have the science around healthy eating integrated. A block to scaling up these types of programs is money. The program relies on grants and receives some federal funding, but it’s not enough to expand the program to all the schools that could benefit.

In fact, there are other problems. At a time when diet-related disease is a leading cause of death, and unhealthy eating habits are rooted in US culture, it’s unrealistic to think that a cooking curriculum could overcome such a sweeping, societal problem. “We know from years of evidence that we need multiple things to come together to support healthy eating,” says Angela Odoms-Young, a professor of maternal and child nutrition at Cornell University.

Despite these challenges, programs like FRESHFARM can help kids expand their choices by introducing them to new tastes. At first, many kids are turned off by the bitter taste of greens. But through the magic of cooking, processing the onions, and blending in fresh ginger, kids can be inspired.

1. What inspired Dean during the visit to Watkins Elementary?

A．The coach’s skillful performance.

B．Students’ getting more access to nature.

C．The integrated hands-on cooking.

D．Students’ gardening and cooking.

2. How does the program benefit Kelley’s family?

A．They pay more attention to healthy eating.

B．They have a more harmonious relation.

C．They show more interest in shopping.

D．They have enriched their recipes.

3. What can be inferred from paragraph 5?

A．Advocating healthy eating needs joint efforts.

B．A cooking curriculum should be promoted.

C．Nutrition helps put students on a healthy path.

D．Food is fundamental to life and good health.

4. What does the author think of the program?

A．Complex.

B．Widespread.

C．Effective.

D．Easily-operated.

3 . An estimated 1 to 2 million people work out in virtual reality monthly. If you’re like me and find it hard to spend meaningful time in the gym, VR fitness might be for you. Here are my picks from the apps I’ve tested:

①Les Mills BodyCombat: Les Mills BodyCombat is great for beginners with a lot to offer—the works center around punching, squatting, and knee-striking targets. While the update added workouts and a new mixed reality mode showing you the room around you, I still look to other apps and games for variety. It also doesn’t have a “cool down” after the workouts—so I’ll typically switch to another app after my workout to relax. $30/ one time purchase

②FitXR: FitXR is a subscription-based app with a diverse line of workouts. A recent update added Zumba and a mixed reality mode called Slam to a list that includes boxing, combat, high-intensity interval training, sculpt and dance. I enjoy FitXR quite a bit, but it’s not my top recommendation due to the cost, the poor pictures, and some missing mixed-reality options. $9.99/month

③Supernatural: Supernatural is one of the most popular VR fitness apps. Unsurprisingly, it’s a polished experience with beautiful locations from around the world, popular music you’ll recognize, and energetic trainers with two main workout types—Boxing and Flow.$3.00/one time purchase

④Xponential + : Xponential +, the newest offering for Quest platforms, has partnered with other workout studios to bring their workouts to reality. I love how the app brings the work out into your living room by displaying a small version of the trainer on your floor or ceiling when it detects that you’re in a plank, pushup, or lying on your back. $9.99/month-also includes access to workouts via app or web.

1. What do Les Mills BodyCombat and FitXR have in common?

A．Both provide mixed reality mode.	B．Both are at a high price.
C．Both are suitable for beginners.	D．Both provide various workouts.

2. Which ones don’t have drawbacks according to the author?

A．①②

B．①③

C．③④

D．②③

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A course plan.	B．A sports website.
C．A science magazine.	D．A tourist brochure.

4 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Sara was always fascinated by art. From a young age, she would spend hours painting, lost in her colorful world. However, growing up in a small town, opportunities to learn and grow as an artist were limited. Her art teacher, Mrs Thompson, saw great potential in Sara and believed she could achieve something extraordinary. Mrs Thompson was more than just a teacher; she was a guide, teacher, and friend to Sara. She recognized Sara’s talent and dedication to art and decided to help her reach new heights. She arranged extra classes, provided art supplies, and even introduced Sara to local artists.

As the town’s art fair was approaching, Mrs Thompson encouraged Sara to submit her work. Sara was hesitant at first, doubting her abilities. But Mrs Thompson’s faith in her was firm. They worked together, choosing the best pieces, creating new works, and preparing for the fair. The weeks leading up to the fair were filled with excitement, hard work, and some anxiety. Sara put in long hours, and Mrs Thompson was always there, offering guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear. Slowly, Sara’s confidence grew.

The town’s art fair was a significant event, drawing artists and art enthusiasts from nearby areas. It was a chance for Sara to showcase her talent to a broader audience and possibly open doors to new opportunities.

Finally, the day arrived, and Sara’s art was displayed. People were drawn to her unique style and emotional depth. The local newspaper even covered her story, highlighting the young artist’s journey and her dedicated teacher’s role. The experience was transformative for Sara, not only as an artist but as a person. She had faced her fears, embraced her passion, and taken a significant step toward her dreams, all with her teacher’s unselfish support.

注意：
1．续写词数应为150左右；
2．请按如下格式在相应位置作答。

The art fair was a turning point for Sara.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After the art fair, Sara continued to grow as an artist.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Many highly successful figures had     1    (previous) faced great challenges before they make achievements. Take for example J.K Rowling and J.D. Salinger, both of     2     received rejections from several publishers. Despite these failures, they refused to give up. Instead, they still concentrated     3    their works and do    4    they can to realize their dreams. Eventually, their books, Harry Porter and The Catcher in the Rye,     5     (regard) as global successes. Another example is Helen Keller, who was an American writer, lecturer and social activist. Aged 19 months old, she lost her hearing and sight. But with the help of her teacher, she overcame her disabilities and went on     6    (earn) a bachelor degree.

Through their lives, a conclusion can be drawn: Although talent, hard work and luck all play     7     important part in their success,     8    (persevere) is the key.     9    (inspire) by their stories, we may get some hints. Don’t complain about the setbacks    10    (harm) you, just keep walking and you will eventually make your dream come true.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the talk mainly about?

A．The development of electric cars in California.

B．The new rules announced in California.

C．The temperature rise in California.

2. When should all sales of cars in California be electric?

A．By 2026.

B．By 2030.

C．By 2035.

3. What does California have the biggest number of in America?

A．People.

B．Beaches.

C．Forests.

4. What may inspire California to fight climate change according to the speaker?

A．The policies made by other states.

B．The natural beauty in California.

C．The obvious rise in global temperatures.

9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How does the man feel at first?

A．Excited.

B．Doubtful.

C．Upset.

2. What does the woman offer to do?

A．Help the man apply for a course.

B．Fix the technical problem.

C．Put off the deadline.

3. Which course does the man want to sign up for most?

A．Creative writing.

B．Fiction writing.

C．Business writing.

4. What does the man need to bring to the first class?

A．His ID Card.

B．Course materials.

C．A notebook.